The Top 5 New York Dolls to celebrate the life of Punk icon Johnny Thunders
The influential guitarist was born on July 15, 1952
The Top 5 New York Dolls to celebrate the life of Punk icon Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time, was one of the first sound architects for Punk Rock and defined the genre as a member of the New York Dolls with whom he recorded their two best albums, the debut “New York Dolls” 1973 and “Too Much Too Soon” 1974. He was born born John Anthony Genzale in Queens, New York, July 15, 1952. His earliest and biggest influence were the Rolling Stones, particularly Keith Richards, whose style he started to mimic during the late 1960’s. Thunders often frequented places such as the Filmore during the late 1960’s and he attended the Rolling Stones famous show at Madison Square Garden in November 1969, appearing together with his girlfriend in the audience on the 1970 Rolling Stones film documentary, “Gimme Shelter”. Johnny Tunders joined the New York Dolls in 1970, then simply called The Dolls. Despite the success among Glam Rock fans, their sound was rougher and they soon went to be labeled as Proto Punk, influencing bands such as the Sex Pistols. In 1975 Thunders left the band formed The Heartbreakers with former New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan. The Heartbreakers toured America before going to Britain to join the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned on the now-legendary Anarchy Tour, replacing the Ramones.
Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, Thunders was a leading figure on Rock and Punk. On April 23, 1991 he passed away aged 38 in New Orleans, Louisiana from a drug overdose. His final recording was a version of “Born To Lose”, with German punk rock band Die Toten Hosen, recorded 36 hours before his death in New Orleans. We look back at the Top 5 New York Dolls songs to celebrate Johnny Thunders birthday and his influence in music.
5 – “Jet Boy”, 1973
4 – Vietnamese Baby”, 1973
3 – “Looking for a Kiss”, 1973
2 – “Trash”, 1973
1 – “Personality Crisis”, 1973
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